Summer is the time to Back The Bay

Published 6:19 am, Thursday, July 11, 2013

Photo: Courtesy Back The Bay

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Galveston Bay acts as a buffer against hurricanes and flooding, is the source for one-third of the state’s commercial fishing income, is home to plants and wildlife, and serves as a recreational destination.

Galveston Bay acts as a buffer against hurricanes and flooding, is the source for one-third of the state’s commercial fishing income, is home to plants and wildlife, and serves as a recreational destination.

Photo: Courtesy Back The Bay

Summer is the time to Back The Bay

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GALVESTON - Whether someone lives near Galveston Bay’s coast, 30 miles away in Friendswood or 40 miles away in Pearland, residents affect the health of the Bay. The Bay acts as a buffer against hurricanes and flooding, is the source for one-third of the state’s commercial fishing income, is home to plants and wildlife, and serves as a recreational destination.

As the hottest of the hot part of summer arrives, here are 5 ways to Back the Bay.

1. Don’t overwater your lawn. The estuary depends on inflows of fresh water for its survival, and conserving water leaves more fresh water for the Bay.

2. Don’t over fertilize your lawn. Fertilizer can run into the Bay’s watershed. This pollution alters the integrity of the water, which can make it unsuitable for swimming and contributes to seafood contamination.

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4. Clean up after your pets. Pet waste washes into storm drains, where it can contaminate water with pathogens. It can also deplete oxygen levels and encourage the growth of algae and weeds in the Bay.

5. Use native plants. They are an easy water-saving addition to any landscape, and they reduce the need for water, pesticides and fertilizers. Great native plants for the Galveston Bay-area include Cardinalflower, Mexican plum, Mexican bush sage, Coral honeysuckle, American holly, Texas lantana, Narrow leaf yucca, Gregg salvia, Strawberry bush and Big thicket hibiscus